What a perfect bike. Gravity dropper, Flow rims, beautiful. Size is L ? Weight ? Do you reach with one rear shock setting to climb and go down well ?

Hey thx, size is XL. It weighed 33.25lbs on my scale with heavy Maxxis tires, 2.5 DHF and a 2.3 DHR2. I could easily shave a pound with some more trail oriented tires but these things have the best traction and are nice in the snow.

The rear shock has 3 diff settings-climb/trail/descend, the fork also has 3 settings but not labeled like that. Basically it's firm/medium/soft for both ends, and yeah no remote for that stuff so you just reach down no biggie

Protos? These haven't landed on shelves yet have they? They're the Duke Nukem of 29er tires.

Yes they are, both are single ply w/exo sidewall and tubeless ready. Hopefully the prod. versions are the same cause these are really nice, if you don't mind the weight- DHF is 1000g's, DHR2 right under 900g's.

I will probably run some lighter rubber for certain rides but the DHF is so nice traction wise that it might be worth the weight penalty.

My TrailStars weighed 888g and 863g, so a burly ~1,000g tire sounds fine. You can get them for less than MSRP now, at least. I think my last pair was $75/each. They really area fantastic all-rounder, but I'd like sidewalls more protective than SnakeSkin.

It'll come down to what lands first- the Minions or the Black Chili Trail Kings. I'm sure I'll try both eventually, but the order will be determined by availability.

I've tried a Covert 29" 2 a few days ago. I was a bit disappointed by the climb abilities of the bike. I'm 180 lbs, psi on fork was 90 and on the shock 150. What do you think about these settings ? I've tried also with 110/170 but going downhill the bike was too nervous for me.

My TrailStars weighed 888g and 863g, so a burly ~1,000g tire sounds fine. You can get them for less than MSRP now, at least. I think my last pair was $75/each. They really area fantastic all-rounder, but I'd like sidewalls more protective than SnakeSkin.

It'll come down to what lands first- the Minions or the Black Chili Trail Kings. I'm sure I'll try both eventually, but the order will be determined by availability.

All of the three MTB wheel diameter HD's were supposed be available in a stouter Super Gravity casing version for 2013. Now I'm hearing that only 26 & 27.5 will feature the SG casing. Dang, more waiting for a tough 29er tire.

I've tried a Covert 29" 2 a few days ago. I was a bit disappointed by the climb abilities of the bike. I'm 180 lbs, psi on fork was 90 and on the shock 150. What do you think about these settings ? I've tried also with 110/170 but going downhill the bike was too nervous for me.

I'm 191 pounds and run 170 in the shock and 80 in the fork and it made the bike so much better than the 160/70 i started off with.

I do all my climbing in trail mode on the shock and fork and in number 2 on the little black dial. If I'm doing smooth dirt I just leave the fork in trail and put the rear shock in climb mode and I've got no problems doing 30 minute climbs on it. Like any new bike you just have to spend some time getting to know it.

I got it as my play/AM bike and its perfect for that and will do a few DH races on it aswell.

I've done a few rides on mine and it's freakin home run in my book. The compact geo and short wheelbase makes it very playful for a long travel 29er, and it climbs nicely given the intended use.

I'm at 210 and setup the susp with 130psi in the Rev fork and 180 on the shock, the susp feels great. The 3 settings for compression front/rear are a nice feature, with both ends fully open the bike is super plush, too plush almost. I liked the middle settings for some jumps and drops I tried cause I was getting a tad bit of fork dive and using all the travel even tho is was smaller stuff. On a rock garden descent I opened up both ends and it felt like butter, just stayed glued to the trail. Also, the controls on this bike are soooo nice, went with an XO/X9 drivetrain and the new gripshift, XT brakes.

Arin- will get with you guys soon, you and Jay can both check it out, it's a sweet ride. Yeah I survived that stupid crash and the shoulder if fine.

Still dealing with a floaty front-end, though. You guys think the extra 10mm of fork is changing the geometry that much? Considering a longer stem and/or an angleset to slacken it back out a bit.

Thoughts?

I wouldn't think the front travel would be the issue. It sounds like you just need a bit more weight on the front end. A bit longer stem or dropping your current stem would be a place to start. Outside of that, moving the fork back to 140mm would also help but that's more involved. I'm very particular on my bike setup so I understand wanting to get it just right!

I wouldn't think the front travel would be the issue. It sounds like you just need a bit more weight on the front end. A bit longer stem or dropping your current stem would be a place to start. Outside of that, moving the fork back to 140mm would also help but that's more involved. I'm very particular on my bike setup so I understand wanting to get it just right!

When does it get "floaty"?

I agree that I need to get more weight to the front. Longer stem will probably be the first step. It gets floaty on steeps. Particularly on switchbacks where its not only steep but I'm putting a lot of power in after the turn. No problems on the same trails with the Rumblefish.

I agree that I need to get more weight to the front. Longer stem will probably be the first step. It gets floaty on steeps. Particularly on switchbacks where its not only steep but I'm putting a lot of power in after the turn. No problems on the same trails with the Rumblefish.

Running a 60mm stem now, you think a 90 would do the trick?

I really like mine with the 140 Rev, cant imagine wanting more except for pure downhill days or at a bike park. I'm running a 90 stem and it feels perfect, that would no doubt help but lowering the fork might be a good idea too, bike has a pretty slack HA at 140.

I really like mine with the 140 Rev, cant imagine wanting more except for pure downhill days or at a bike park. I'm running a 90 stem and it feels perfect, that would no doubt help but lowering the fork might be a good idea too, bike has a pretty slack HA at 140.

I think a 90mm stem is the best place to start. If that doesn't help I'll consider knocking the travel back down, though I wanted to avoid that hassle.